The Government has launched an independent review,to be led by Bruce Carr QC, into the legal implications of alleged intimidation tactics.

The review will examine the law around so-called ‘leverage’ tactics used by trade unions in industrial disputes, as well as the role of employers in such disputes. The review’s Terms of Reference are to provide an assessment of the alleged use of extreme tactics in industrial disputes, including so-called leverage tactics and the effectiveness of the existing legal framework to prevent inappropriate or intimidatory actions in trade disputes.

The Government is of the view that the resilience of the industrial infrastructure cannot be guaranteed without effective workforce relationships and there is a need to assess whether the current legislation dealing with activities taking place during industrial disputes is fit for the 21st century.